Florida

Last updated: 3/13/2026

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Poker laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific legal questions about hosting poker games.

Home game poker is restricted in Florida under the penny-ante exception (F.S. 849.085), which caps individual wagers at $10 per hand. The state has a complex and evolving gambling landscape, with Seminole Tribe poker rooms and commercial card rooms at pari-mutuels that have faced recent legal challenges following Amendment 3 (2018).

Home Games

Restricted

Home poker games are legal in Florida under the penny-ante exception (F.S. 849.085). However, individual wagers are capped at $10 per hand, and the total winnings for any player in a single round may not exceed $50.

Conditions

Individual bets may not exceed $10 per hand/round
Net winnings for any player may not exceed $50 in a single round
Game must be in a dwelling (private residence)
No person under 18 may participate
No person may receive compensation for hosting or operating the game

Age: 18+Confidence: high

Charitable Gaming

Legal - Licensed & Regulated

Charitable poker tournaments (Game Night events) are permitted under F.S. 849.0931. Qualified nonprofits can host up to 4 game nights per year with prize limits and other restrictions.

License: RequiredConfidence: high

Commercial Poker

Legal - Licensed & Regulated

Florida has pari-mutuel card rooms that offer poker. The Seminole Tribe operates Hard Rock casinos with major poker rooms. Amendment 3 (2018) requires voter approval for any casino gambling expansion. The 2021 Seminole Gaming Compact has faced legal challenges.

Confidence: medium

Key Statutes

F.S. 849.085 — Penny-ante games

Authorizes social gambling with $10 per bet and $50 per round limits in private dwellings

View statute

F.S. 849.0931 — Game promotion in connection with certain charitable organizations

Authorizes charitable gaming events including poker tournaments

View statute

Amendment 3 (2018) — Voter Control of Gambling

Requires statewide voter approval for any expansion of casino gambling

Recent Changes

2025

Continued litigation over the 2021 Seminole Gaming Compact and the scope of tribal exclusivity for online sports betting. Card room poker operations continue under existing permits.

Commercial card room poker operations continue but face long-term uncertainty about expansion